The 2018 outdoor track season was, without a doubt, one for the record books. So many spectacular performances went down, all of which happened in spite of the absence of at least two of the state's top talents.
Well, this weekend, Parkway North rising junior Alicia Burnett and Cardinal Ritter rising senior Hasani Barr make their long awaited returns at the AAU Region 15 Qualifier at Lindenwood University in St. Charles. You can watch this meet LIVE on FloTrack by following this ---> link.
Burnett was ineligible this spring after a transfer to Parkway North. The most dominant sprinter in the state in 2017 had to watch as her Class 4 100, 200, and 400 meter titles were handed off to others, but she appears ready to bring home some more hardware this summer. She is the reigning champion in the 15-16 100 and 200 meter dashes and boasts personal bests of 11.47, 23.90, and 55.51 MO No. 1 in the 100 and 200 this season, and MO No. 4 in the 400.
Burnett is entered in the open 100 and 200 and should roll to victory this weekend and beyond in the 15-16 age group, even with Nerinx Hall superstar Courtney Williams in the mix in both events.
Barr sat out his junior campaign due to an apparent lower body injury, one that he, according to reports, could possibly have ran through at the end of the year, but care was taken and he will now compete full bore in the AAU events. Barr was the Class 3 state champion in 2017 and runner-up in the 400 as well as national champion in the 400 at last season's AAU Junior Olympics.
With personal bests of 21.51 and 47.41, Barr will be looking to make up for his lost season which means, whether you like it or not, your heads will probably be turning to watch this young man fly.
In addition to these long-awaited returns, the Region 15 meet packs an incredible amount of firepower that you won't want to miss.
For starters, one of the nation's top 800 runners Brandon Miller will be kicking off his AAU campaign this weekend with his entry in the 15-16 yo 800. He is coming off of a state record 1:49.55 and big victories at the Festival of Miles and Brooks PR Invitational.
Many more state champions will grace us with their presence as Class 3 800 and 4x800 champion Kylie Goldfarb is entered in the 800 and 1500, Class 2 800 and 4x800 state champion Malik Stewart takes a crack at the 1500 and 3000, the Allen Brothers James and Jerald will do battle with Lazarus Williams and Dylan Conner in the 15-16 800 and battle Barr in the 400. Speaking of Cleveland NJROTC, Antonio Norman continues his stellar senior season into AAU season with entry in the 110 hurdles and 400 hurdles, hot on the tails of Jekeel Suber, Grant Conway, and Teron Pitt-Bryant in the 110s.
The greatest prep 400 runner we have ever seen in Missouri will be bringing his 46.20 to the Lindenwood track as Justin Robinson looks for even faster marks in the 200 and 400.
The 17-18 age group girls 200 and 400 meter dashes are stacked with all-state and state champion athletes with Jada Moore, Jhordin Galmore, and Danielle Frank headlining a field with 13 girls seeded under 26 seconds in the 200 and four girls seeded under 58 seconds in the 400. The 17-18 age group also features Lindbergh rising senior Abigail Juedemann in the 1500 and 2000m Steeplechase.
Four-time Class 3 state champion Kemeric Winston will be lining up against the afore-mentioned Barr in the 200 alongside Larue Martin, Chris Bass, and Keven Lomax. Winston headlines the group that includes these three boys in the open 100, as well.
Rounding out our preview of the track events is Ultimate Speed Academy's Caleb Nesbitt who stole the hearts of track fans across the country with his huge win in the 1500m Racewalk last summer. He moves up to the 12 year old age group, but will still look to defend his junior olympics title.
Three girls come into the 17-18 age group long jump with career marks over 18 feet, with Zionn Pearson, Maegan Saleh, and Sydney Mitchell all vying for victory.
After a state championship in Illinois, East St. Louis's Evangelynne Harris comes in with an impressive 46-8 best in the shot put. She will have to battle it out with Class 5 shot put bronze winner Diamond Richardson and Class 2 state champion McKinlee Morris in the 17-18 shot put.
Finally, Isaiah Martin and Anna Heacock, coming off great performances at the USATF Junior Championships, will be entered in the decathlon and heptathlon, respectively.
Make sure to tune in or head over to the Lindenwood University track all weekend as we bring you the action from the AAU Region 15 meet!